Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Review: An Easy Way to Earn Cash Back

Overview of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card simplifies earning rewards, offering an unlimited 1.5% cash back rate. However, other cash-back cards may provide higher earning potentials. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½

*Card Rating reflects TPG's editors' opinions and is unaffected by the card issuer.

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card stands out with its generous sign-up bonus and no annual fee (see rates and fees), but it has some limitations worth noting. TPG advises that applicants should have a good credit score of 690 or above when applying.

Quicksilver's straightforward earning system is attractive — especially since it ranks among the top introductory APR cards available — but its true advantage lies in the ability to transfer your rewards to Capital One's partners if you possess a Capital One miles card.

Now, let's explore the details of the card.

Pros and Cons of Quicksilver

Quicksilver's Welcome Offer

New Quicksilver cardholders can earn a $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening their account. This is the most attractive offer we've encountered for this card.

This welcome offer is typical for cash-back cards with no annual fee, featuring a low spending threshold that most users can easily achieve. However, when compared to the top travel credit cards, which can provide sign-up bonuses worth thousands, this $200 is merely a small bonus.

Benefits of Quicksilver

The Quicksilver card is not ideal for those seeking perks like lounge access or travel credits, which are commonly available with premium credit cards.

The Quicksilver card offers several benefits, including the absence of foreign transaction fees (refer to rates and fees). This feature, while common among credit cards with annual fees, is less frequently found in no-annual-fee cards.

Additional benefits include:

• Extended warranty
• Concierge service

A TPG reader noted the Quicksilver's value as a card to obtain early in one’s financial journey, helping to build a solid credit history:

"Your initial card should carry no annual fee (refer to rates and fees) so you can maintain it indefinitely, similar to the Capital One Quicksilver or a credit union option." – Jeremy C via Facebook

Note: Responses submitted by readers have not been modified, vetted, or sanctioned by the issuers, nor do they represent TPG's views on these cards.

This is a brief yet commendable list of perks for a no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees).

Earning cash back with the Quicksilver card

The Quicksilver offers a consistent 1.5% cash back on all purchases, without any bonus categories.

Getting the same cash back rate on all purchases is acceptable if you lack a single high-spending category. However, if you often spend a lot in one specific area—like dining or groceries—you might want to look into a card that offers bonuses for that category.

Redeeming cash back with the Quicksilver card

You can redeem your rewards from the Quicksilver as a statement credit, check, or gift card. There’s no minimum redemption threshold—just log in to your account via the app or your computer and choose your preferred option.

TPG credit card editor Emily Thompson values the flexibility of cash-back rewards. While they may not be as valuable as her preferred transferable rewards, she utilizes cash-back for expenses that points and miles don’t cover, like snacks at the airport and activities.

Nonetheless, your redemption options are not restricted if you have the right card combination. If you also own a card that earns Capital One miles, such as the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can convert your cash-back to travel rewards at a rate of 1 Capital One mile for every 1 cent of cash-back and transfer them to any of Capital One's 15-plus hotel and airline partners.

Which cards rival the Quicksilver?

The Quicksilver is a reliable cash-back credit card with no annual fee (see rates and fees). However, there are better options available for those seeking higher earning rates and additional benefits.

• If you have limited credit history: The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card also provides 1.5% cash back on all purchases, includes a $39 annual fee (see rates and fees), and offers no sign-up bonus. Beyond that, the benefits and cash back are virtually the same.
• If you seek greater earning potential: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) earns 2% on all purchases (1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay) and has no annual fee. For further information, refer to our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
• If you favor Chase: The Chase Freedom Unlimited® also carries no annual fee, earns 1.5% cash back on most purchases, and enables you to transfer your rewards to travel partners with the right card pairing. Additionally, it provides 5% cash back on Chase travel booked through Chase Travel℠ and 3% back at drugstores and dining. For more information, see our full review of the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

For more choices, take a look at our comprehensive list of the best cash-back and no-annual-fee credit cards.

Is the Quicksilver a worthwhile choice?

The Quicksilver is ideal for individuals who prefer using one card for all purchases, as it features a straightforward, flat 1.5% cash back earning rate. If you don't allocate much of your spending to common bonus categories or prefer not to manage multiple cards on the go, this card is a good option. However, if you're looking to maximize rewards in bonus categories, you might want to consider another card.

Final thoughts

The Quicksilver provides a reasonable cash back earning rate along with a solid sign-up bonus and respectable benefits for a no-annual-fee card (see rates and fees). Nevertheless, other cash back cards might offer better earning potential, so it may not align perfectly with your spending patterns.

For Capital One products mentioned on this page, certain benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and can differ by product. Please refer to the relevant Guide to Benefits for more information, as terms and exclusions apply.